El Ciudadano
Original article: Egon Montecinos, rector de la UACh, desmiente a La Tercera tras manifestaciones estudiantiles contra ministra de Ciencias
Egon Montecinos, the rector of the Universidad Austral de Chile (UACh), addressed a report from La Tercera, asserting that the information regarding an alleged denial of entry to police officers during an official event in Valdivia «is false.»
Through his account on the social media platform X, Montecinos stated: «This is false; I suggest you call General Contreras of Carabineros from the Los Ríos police zone or have the journalist correct this.» This was in response to a report claiming that the university had denied access to police personnel amid incidents during Science Minister Ximena Lincolao’s visit.
Student Protests Highlight Academic Ceremony
The controversy arose during the minister’s visit to Valdivia for the inauguration of the 2026 academic year at UACh. The event, held in the Aula Magna of the Isla Teja campus, was overshadowed by student protests.
A group of students gathered at the venue prior to the ceremony’s start, prompting the minister to enter quickly. During the event, protesters voiced critical slogans against the government and displayed banners, creating an atmosphere of tension in the vicinity.
According to Daniela Carvajal, spokesperson for the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities’ coordinating group, the mobilization stems from disagreements with government policies, particularly concerning graduate scholarships and academic funding. «We believe that those of us producing academic knowledge are at risk of having to leave the country due to a lack of opportunities,» she explained to Río en Línea.
The protest persisted throughout the ceremony and escalated when some demonstrators blocked exits from the Aula Magna, prompting Rector Montecinos to engage in dialogue with the students.
Political Reactions and Debate on Violence
In the aftermath, various officials condemned the tense incidents. From Congress, lawmakers from different sectors expressed their disapproval of any form of aggression against officials while defending the legitimacy of student protests.
In this regard, there was a reiteration that political differences should be addressed through dialogue rather than violence, especially in university settings, which have traditionally been places for debate and reflection.
This episode opens up a new avenue for discussion, not only regarding the political climate in universities but also concerning media reporting on these events.
El Ciudadano
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